Wind-engine



(ModeL) K. A. SMITH & J, E. WOODARD.

Wind Engine. 2

No. 242,232. Patented May 31,1881.

/ zwzzw UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

KIRK A. SMITH AND JOHN E. WVOODARD, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

' WIND-ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 242,232, dated May 31, 1881,

Application filed March 5, 1881. (ModeL) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, KIRK A. SMITH and JOHN E. WOODARD, citizens of the United States, residing at Kalamazoo, county of Kalamazoo, State of Michigan, respectively, have jointly invented a new and useful l/Vi nd-Engine, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to certain improvements in the head and in the weight-arm of wind-engines.

It has for its object a construction whereby greater utility is effected by the improved practicability of the working of the engine, and also whereby certain parts are shielded from exposure to the elements by a device which readily admits of said parts being exposed for examination and lubrication.

The construction relating to the weight-arm consists in hinging an arm, substantially like the one shown, at an oblique angle to a perpendicular, and connecting said arm with the vane at the latitudinal'center of the same, which vane is located at right angles to the wind-wheel.

A further construction consists in forming the root of the head of the engine with a sectional hinged portion constituting a door to the same.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a .part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate like parts, Figure 1 is a top view of the head, showing the weightarm and door; Fig. 2, rear view, showing the mode of hinging the weight-arm; Fig. 3, side view 5 and Fig. 4, side view, having a portion cut away and the roof-door open, showing in echanism within.

The head of the engine consists of the hollow urn B, having roof B bolted onto the same, a portion of said roof constituting the hinged door a, as shown in the figures of the drawlngs.

F is the weight-arm hinged to the rear side of urn B, the hinge of which arm is located at an oblique angle, Fig. 2, said arm hanging nearly vertically parallel with the perpendicular shaft or plunger of the engine. The vane is hinged to the roof of the head and stands at right angles with the wind-wheel. Said vane and weight-arm are connected by a rod, ,t', said rod being jointedly connected at each end, at

the points of contact before specified. WVhen thus constructed the weight-arm, in its upward movement, traverses the angle set forth in the operation, and the vane is carried around the requisite distance. Any change in the angle or proportion of the weight-arm and rod 2', or in the points of connection, require a corresponding change in the other parts related thereto,

in order that the vane may still stand at right angles with the wind-wheel and be carried the proper distance when the weight-arm is varied in its oblique angle. But we deem, from practical' tests, that the construction as shown effects a greater economy in construction than any modifications of it, and that in said construction the mechanism of the engine embodied in our invention works with increased prom ptness, steadiness, and accuracy, and said mechanism in effect is greatly strengthened,

as the strain upon the parts is more accurately equalized in contrast with previous constructions.

The chain by which the weight-arn1 F is operated is illustrated at 0, connecting with arm a, extending over pulley in standard d, and thence through a slot in door a or in the roof, and down through the pipe.

In the operation of the vane and weightarm in throwing the wheel D in and out of 30 the wind, by pulling on chainc the weight-arm, which, as shown in Fig. 2, descrlbes the radius of a circle, rises at an oblique angle to a perpendicular, the end of said arm traversing onet'ourth, more or less, of the periphery of an 5 imaginary circular plane located at an angle of about sixty degrees to a horizontal plane, and the vane swings horizontally an equal distance, dotted lines in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 illustrating, as near as possible, said action and 0 thereof, all combined and adapted to operate I oo substantially in the manner described and shown, to effect the objects set forth.

KIRK A. SMITH. JOHN E. VVOODARD.

Witnesses A-LIcE S. WooDARD, ARTHUR J. BAssETT. 

